Over 70% of England declares drought ahead of 36C temperatures this week – check full list of 4 new regions affected

NEARLY three quarters of England has declared drought ahead of 36C temperatures this week. The National Drought Group has moved seven more areas to drought status, taking the total to 45 million Brits in affected areas. Seven new areas in England have declared drought as a fifth heatwave looms over parts of the UK Credit: EPA The whole of the East Midlands, Lincolnshire & Northamptonshire, Kent & East Sussex, and Solent & the South Downs has now declared drought status. These regions join seven other parts of England, alongside the entirety of Wales, to experience the consistently dry conditions. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Most of the country is experiencing a flash drought, which has been provoked by the ongoing dry conditions and higher temperatures. Around 45 million people in England are in an area that’s declared drought, with over 27 million living under hosepipe ban restrictions, which have been enforced by nine water companies. The North East and Yorkshire have also been moved into the prolonged dry weather category, the stage before drought. Changes by the National Drought Group to alter the drought status come after England recorded the driest July since records began in 1836. Rainfall in July has ranged from one per cent of the expected amount in south-east England, to 26 per cent in north-west England. Parts of Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and West Sussex have not had a rain day for 59 days. Most read in The Sun Full list of UK regions that have declared drought Regions moved to drought status today: East Midlands Lincolnshire & Northamptonshire Kent & East Sussex Solent & The South Downs Previously declared drought areas: East Anglia Hertfordshire Thames Valley Devon Cornwall Wessex (Covering Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, and south Gloucestershire) West Midlands Regions moved to “drought “prolonged dry weather” status today: North East Yorkshire Previously declared “prolonged dry weather” areas: Cumbria Lancashire Greater Manchester Merseyside Cheshire Nearly three quarters of England is now under drought status Credit: Environment Agency Brits are also bracing for the fifth heatwave of the year, as temperatures are set to soar as high as 36C on Thursday. Amber heat health alerts have been issued for most of England, with the Met Office currently considering whether to issue a rare red extreme heat warning due to the high temperatures. In response to the change, Water Minister Emma Hardy said: “We know how challenging this summer has been, especially for our hard-working farmers who are at the sharp end of climate change and an increasing number of floods and droughts. “We are stepping up our support including working to make it easier for farmers to build more on-site irrigation reservoirs. “We are also delivering long-term change in the water industry to reduce leaks and deliver nine new reservoirs and water transfer schemes to secure supplies. “As we move through this period of drought, I expect water companies to take every available step to minimise leakage and support customers in using water wisely. “I also want to thank people for following the restrictions, where in place, as they are an important tool to safeguard essential water supplies and protect the environment.” Comment now